Kennedy LANCAIR 320 N42BK

Summary

On 29 November 2010 at about 19:30 local time, a Kennedy LANCAIR 320 registered N42BK, operated by Kennedy William E C III, was involved in an accident near Hubbard, Oregon, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

29 November 2010 at 19:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Hubbard, Oregon, United States

Nearest airport

Lenhardt Airport (7S9)

Coordinates

45.1803, -122.7436

Aircraft

Kennedy LANCAIR 320

Registration

N42BK

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Kennedy William E C III

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Hubbard → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR11LA064

1 person died.

The loss of control during takeoff for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment from an over-the-counter sedating medication.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

After what appeared to be a normal takeoff roll and liftoff, the airplane flew about half way down the runway before its pitch attitude increased slightly and it began to roll to nearly 90 degrees of bank. Witnesses stated that, at that point, there was a smooth but significant reduction in engine power. The airplane then descended into the terrain with the landing gear still fully extended. A postacccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of a flight control system anomaly or malfunction. The pilot, who did not possess a valid Federal Aviation Administration medical certificate, had a history of progressive coronary artery disease and aviation-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Post-mortem toxicology testing was consistent with a recent ingestion of a sedating over-the-counter antihistamine. Witness descriptions of the accident are potentially consistent with an incapacitating cardiac event, sudden psychological symptoms related to PTSD, or interference by the pilot’s dog (who was sitting in the passenger seat) with the aircraft controls. It is likely that the pilot was impaired by his recent use of the over-the-counter medication and that his response to an undetermined unexpected event was adversely affected by such impairment.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.